Water Framework Directive: Complaint by 5 NGOs against the revision procedure launched by the Commission

On 8 September, five European environmental organisations filed a complaint with the European Ombudswoman to challenge the procedure launched by the European Commission to revise the Water Framework Directive (WFD). The NGOs – EEB, WWF, Wetlands International Europe, Surfrider Foundation Europe and the European Anglers Alliance – denounce an approach they consider inconsistent with the principles of good administration.

A revision announced without prior assessment

According to these NGOs, the decision to revise the WFD was announced without an impact assessment, without an analysis of policy options, and without public participation — in contradiction with the EU’s Better Regulation commitments and with the Aarhus Convention.

“This revision comes out of nowhere and breaks with a long tradition of cooperation and evidence-based decision-making,” said Irene Duque Femenía, freshwater policy officer at Wetlands International Europe. “It is not backed by any public evidence and does not respond to any of the recommendations the Commission itself has made.”

The NGOs recall that the directive was deemed “fit for purpose” during the last fitness check in 2019, and that the public consultation was launched only in March, three months after the political announcement — which they argue violates early participation requirements.

A revision linked to critical raw materials extraction

The revision of the WFD is part of the RESourceEU Action Plan, which aims to facilitate the extraction of critical raw materials within the European Union. The NGOs believe the Commission seeks to remove “legislative obstacles” to mining activities, without demonstrating that the current directive actually hinders such operations.

In their complaint, they also point out that several major environmental organisations were excluded from closed-door stakeholder meetings held earlier in the year.

NGOs complaint

Read the press release